UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

[06panther10]

We got a great game, that we probably didn't deserve. We should be ecstatic about this game. Hopefully the return game is next year, as that would be a fantastic home game to add to our already good schedule next year.

[UNIMIS2001]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

I like how the announcers were talking about how this game was a disservice to VCU. Cmon Panthers, prove them wrong!

[UNIMIS2001]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

http://www.vcuramnation.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=3

For entertainment purposes only.

[bubbles1812]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

I like how the announcers were talking about how this game was a disservice to VCU. Cmon Panthers, prove them wrong!

Well, to be fair, from VCU's perspective, a game against UNI wont help them a bit, even if the win. And will really hurt them if they lose. That being said I do hope the Panthers win.

And yikes, I have to say both the Jays and Shockers got royally screwed...based on RPIs, Creighton should have gotten St. Mary's and Witchita should be going to Murray St. Those were fairly even matchups and would have been fun. Now I think they are playing RPI 67 Davidson when they have what, think they have 33? Or 31? And LBSU's RPI is 30ish and Creighton is 15 or so? I think the Valley really needs to get out of Bracket Busters. Espn just really screwed the Valley.

[DCDuckVCU]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

http://www.vcuramnation.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=3

For entertainment purposes only.

Entertainment? Why not sign up and contribute to our discussions?

Anyway, it should be a great game. I'm definitely looking forward to it.

[DCDuckVCU]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

I think the Valley really needs to get out of Bracket Busters. Espn just really screwed the Valley.

I disagree. A win at VCU would be a tremendous statement for UNI. We haven't lost a home game to a non-conference opponent since the 2007-08 season.

[06panther10]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

I disagree. A win at VCU would be a tremendous statement for UNI. We haven't lost a home game to a non-conference opponent since the 2007-08 season.

Yeah, it would be a big win if we were to do it. But there is no way that UNI is getting an at-large bid at this point anyway, so it wouldn't really matter much.

I'm just excited to get one of the ESPN2 games, and to have a good return game in a year or two. After the way we have played the last few weeks, we are extremely fortunate to get this game.

[bubbles1812]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

I disagree. A win at VCU would be a tremendous statement for UNI. We haven't lost a home game to a non-conference opponent since the 2007-08 season.

I wasnt talking about the game UNI got at that point. I agree with you about if UNI wins. That would be great for UNI. But it wont help them really if they win or lose, simply put, the way we are playing, we're not getting into the tournament regardless. Im talking about what is good for the Vally as whole at this point. Judging by the games our top two teams were given, Bracket Busters just does nothing for us anymore. Imagine if UNI was in the Jay's position or the Shocker's position right now. I think the Jays could survive a loss (though in this case I do hope they win because any win for the Valley is good) and still get into the tournament ok. But for the Shockers, it just became an elimination game...losing to Davidson would/will hurt a heck of a lot more (if that happens) than losing to Murray St.

[DCDuckVCU]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

I also disagree with your assessment that UNI is eliminated from an at-large. Your RPI is 57 at this moment, and your overall SoS is 18. Those wins over Colorado State and Iowa State look better and better as the season goes along.

Right now your resume reminds me of ours last season. Actually your resume at this point is better than ours was. Your SoS is something that the Selection Committee will take note of. You went out and challenged yourselves out of conference. If it comes down to one last spot and you are going up against a team like Cincinnati (non-conf SoS 331), you'll get it based on that SoS. It's going to go a long way.

Also remember Gene Smith saying "conferences don't get bids, teams do". The Valley is so deep this season that I could definitely see a team with a top-50 RPI and a top-25 SoS getting an at-large, even if that team finished 5th or 6th in the Valley.

Don't get too down on yourselves. From an outsider's perspective you are in a pretty decent position. A win at our place might be your ticket to an at-large bid.

For what it's worth, we have no at-large chance at all. We lost to Georgia State and Georgia Tech, and our SoS is in the 200s. We had our chances to get decent wins (Seton Hall, at Alabama) but lost them all, and the CAA is really down this season, so we won't be able to make up for those with good wins in conference play.

[ceaser150]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

I like how the announcers were talking about how this game was a disservice to VCU. Cmon Panthers, prove them wrong!

VCU has nothing to complain about. They get what should be an easy win on national television against a team with an inflated RPI. They should be thrilled.

[Codytwo]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

Too bad the selection committee also takes into account a team's last 10 games. At this pace, UNI will finish the season 4-6 in their final 10 games with an overall record of 18-15. I'm worried that we won't even get an invite to the CIT!

[9YRPLAN]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

I also disagree with your assessment that UNI is eliminated from an at-large. Your RPI is 57 at this moment, and your overall SoS is 18. Those wins over Colorado State and Iowa State look better and better as the season goes along.

Right now your resume reminds me of ours last season. Actually your resume at this point is better than ours was. Your SoS is something that the Selection Committee will take note of. You went out and challenged yourselves out of conference. If it comes down to one last spot and you are going up against a team like Cincinnati (non-conf SoS 331), you'll get it based on that SoS. It's going to go a long way.

Also remember Gene Smith saying "conferences don't get bids, teams do". The Valley is so deep this season that I could definitely see a team with a top-50 RPI and a top-25 SoS getting an at-large, even if that team finished 5th or 6th in the Valley.

Don't get too down on yourselves. From an outsider's perspective you are in a pretty decent position. A win at our place might be your ticket to an at-large bid.

For what it's worth, we have no at-large chance at all. We lost to Georgia State and Georgia Tech, and our SoS is in the 200s. We had our chances to get decent wins (Seton Hall, at Alabama) but lost them all, and the CAA is really down this season, so we won't be able to make up for those with good wins in conference play.

who are you to come here and ruin our pity party?

[BCPanther]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

Its a long shot, but wins over Creighton, Wichita, and VCU and getting to sunday in StL could be enough...

[FOTY]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

I think the Valley really needs to get out of Bracket Busters. Espn just really screwed the Valley.

Disagree. While the matchups could have been better for our top tier teams, the rest of the matchups were generous (just look at us). The fact that the MVC got 5 teams with tv games is a show of respect. The CAA and MAC both received 3 appearances with no other conferences with more than 2.

Personally, I'll take the national exposure. Now, about righting that ship.....

[bubbles1812]

Re: UNI @ VCU, Friday Feb 17 ESPN2

Disagree. While the matchups could have been better for our top tier teams, the rest of the matchups were generous (just look at us). The fact that the MVC got 5 teams with tv games is a show of respect. The CAA and MAC both received 3 appearances with no other conferences with more than 2.

Personally, I'll take the national exposure. Now, about righting that ship.....

First, let me say I do really agree with you that it was nice 5 of our teams got tv games. But unfortunately, outside of their own fanbases/valley fans in general, most of those games will not be cared about by anyone outside of them, or at least not the majority of viewers. Im not saying some people might watch VCU and UNI play and go wow UNI is awesome, Im just saying very few people outside of our conference will really care. I probably sound like a Jays/Shocker fan right now but Creighton is ranked...they will/do get the most exposure, thus bringing more exposure to the Valley as a whole...and it would really have been so much better if they were playing another ranked team. That might have been something more people would have payed attention to rather than CU vs LBSU. And while Wichita isnt ranked...obviously Murray St is getting a huge amount of exposure right now so it would have been another game many more people outside the Valley would have paid attention too.

But, I will concede, any national exposure helps. I just wish our top teams had gotten better match-ups for the betterment of the valley as a whole. But I am still really iffy about Bracket Busters. I think it used to have meaning but now with so many teams participating, its lost a lot of what it was meant to do as first conceived.


**Also, apparently, does anyone know if there is truth to this...essentially what I have read is that Elgin likes BB (not surprising since he helped created it) but that most if not all Valley coaches and ADs are opposed to it/dont like it? I know Missouri St wanted out but Elgin basically told them they wouldnt get any ESPN games at any time this year if they didnt participate